It’s emerged the use of public transport, including buses, trains and ferries is up to 50% down on pre-pandemic levels – leading to new concerns over the ability to meet stiff Scottish Government targets over climate change.

The Herald newspaper reports that the number of bus passengers is down by 40.3% from 392m in 2016/17 before Covid hit, to 234m in 2021/22.

It says there is further concern that the Scottish Government’s flagship bus partnership fund first launched in 2019 and aimed at providing bus priority measures to tackle climate change has stalled. As of August last year it had committed £25.8m of its £500m budget.

The bus and coach trade association, the Confederation of Passenger Transport Scotland has told ministers that to meet net zero ambitions there has to be a “modal shift from cars”.

The group, which says the bus accounts for 75% of all public transport trips said more has to be done to give priority to buses.

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(File picture – First Bus)